Definitions Used In Orthotics And Prosthetics

Hello everyone, here is my glossary. I study Orthotics and Prosthetics at College Montmorency. In this program, we see how to make various orthosis and prosthesis and we use very specific terms to designate things such as ; what term means "towards the middle"? The answer is "medial". It is then necessary to be well understood by our colleagues or by our patients. So, to be well understood and to use the appropriate language, it is necessary to learn the notions associated with orthesis and prosthesis. This glossary will help you better understand and explain the terms used in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Abduction

The act of moving the hip (and residual limb) away from the middle line of the body.

Adduction

The act of moving the hip (and residual limb) toward the middle line of the body.

Alignment

Position of prosthetic socket in relation to foot and knee.

Amputation

Removal of a body part through surgery or trauma.

Anterior

The front of the body.

Atrophy

Decrease in the size of muscle tissue.

Biomechanics

Applying mechanical principles to study how the human body moves.

Brachial Plexus

Nerve plexus that provides principal nerves for shoulder and forelimbs movement.

Circumduction

Lateral circular motion of an extremity, usually described as movement of a foot or leg while walking.

Contractures

Abnormal shortening of the muscle's tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching.

Distal

The end portion of the extremity, away from the central part of the body, for example, the distal part of the femur (thigh bone) is the knee. The opposite of distal is proximal. The proximal portion of the femur is the hip.

Dorsiflexion

Bending the wrist so the top portion of the hand points upward, bending the ankle so the foot raises upward.

Eversion

The outward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces away from the median, or middle line, of the body.

Extension

The act of moving the hip (and residual limb) backward or to the rear of the body.

Flexion

The act of bending a limb or joint.

Hyperextension

Over-extending the extremity beyond normal anatomical position.

Lateral

To the side, away from the mid-line of the body.

Medial

Toward the mid-line of the body.

Musculo-skeletal System

System of cooperating muscles and bones in biological creatures.

Orthosis

Custom-fabricated or custom-fitted brace or support designed to align, correct, or prevent neuromuscular or musculo-skeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.

Orthotist

Person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, or services orthosis as prescribed by a licensed physician, and who assists in the formulation of an orthosis to support or correct disabilities.

Pathology (Pathologically)

The science dealing with the essential nature of disease, especially of the changes in the body tissue and organs, which cause or are caused by disease.

Pes Cavus

The exaggerated height of the longitudinal arch of the foot.

Pes Equinus

Present when the ankle is plantar flexed and the heel is elevated. This causes the weight to be borne primarily on the toes.

Phantom Pain

The feeling of pain in a part of the body that is no longer there following amputation.

Phantom Sensation

The sensation of still feeling a body part although it is not there following an amputation of that body part.

Plantar Flexion

Bending the ankle in a downward position.

Posterior

Back of an extremity of the body.

Prefabricated Orthosis

Orthosis, which is manufactured in quantity without a specific patient in mind, which may be trimmed, bent, molded, or otherwise modified for use by a specific patient (i.e., custom fitted). A preformed orthosis is considered prefabricated even if it requires the attachment of straps and/or the addition of a lining and/or other finishing work or is assembled from prefabricated components. Any orthosis that does not meet the definition of a custom fabricated orthosis is considered prefabricated. Also referred to as custom-fitted.

Proprioception

The sense of the orientation of one’s limbs in space.

Prosthesis

Artificial medical device that is not surgically implanted which is used to replace a missing limb or appendage such as artificial limbs, hands, fingers, feet or toes.

Prosthetist

Person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, or services prosthesis as prescribed by a licensed physician, and who assists in the formulation of the prosthesis prescription for the replacement of external parts of the human body lost due to amputation or congenital deformities or absences.

Rotation

A circular or turning movement of a body part, such as the back or head, around its axis.

Scoliosis

A lateral (side to side) curvature of the spine in the thoracic and/or lumbar regions.

Supination

The movement of the forearm so that the hand rests palm up on a surface, foot positioned leaning toward the outside.

Suspension

The method by which a prosthesis or orthosis is held on to the body.

Valgus

Deformity of the foot resulting in the outward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces away from the median, or middle line, of the body.(Knee bow legged.)

Varus

Deformity of the foot resulting in the inward rotation of the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot so that it faces toward the median, or middle line, of the body.(Knee knock kneed.)

Sources:

http://www.wcbl.com/op-resources-2/glossary-of-terms/

http://hittenberger.com/for-patients/glossary-of-terms